







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| There are some vending machines in the station. | |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | |
| Is it because of the cost, or another reason? | |
| Is your father sick? | |
| Then you can decide if I'm a good cook or not! | |
| They're there, under the duvet. | |
| I wake up and make my bed, then tidy my room. | |
| Kisses to you, too, I'll call you when I get there! | |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | |
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | |
| Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | |
| Yes, it was quite easy, actually, I live very close by. | |
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | |
| So does that mean you don't want to stay with me? | |
| I don't know, maybe it helps a bit! | |